• January Pony Update

• ‘Pony Power Returns To Dartmoor’

• December 2009 Update

• Update November 2009

Welcome to autumn, the weather has well and truly changed and the leaves are falling. Not that the ponies mind, they eat them as they hit the ground. We know the grass is not so sweet now because they come in immediately they see us; for a little additional hay. They are all very well and are in good condition going into the winter.

Ian, the foot trimmer, has been and they have all had their hooves sorted out. All went well and they each got a clean bill of health. We have been doing some work with Charlie on his front legs and this time he did not lie down when his front legs were picked up; though he did think about it. We had already established that there was no physical problem to cause him to do that.

One of the school groups that came to Brimpts to work with the ponies had, as part of their morning session, a chance to weigh the ponies, under supervision, with a tape and then our handlers administered a worming dose to each of the ponies according to their weight. (We already knew what the weight should be.) The children had a great time and were genuinely surprised at how heavy a pony is compared to themselves. I still have trouble relating to kilos and always convert it to proper values.

When our project, PIP, closes at the end of October at Occombe, Miss Mousie will come home to Brimpts and join our little herd. She is a little treasure and already carries our flag at Occombe as an adoption pony. There is still time for you to visit Occombe Farm in Preston Down road in Paignton where Kerry Smith, the Project Manager of “P.I.P” would be pleased to see you. The ponies will be on the on the farm until the end of October. They are working on our “PONIES INSPIRING PEOPLE”, project. Speak with the Meeters and Greeters they will be only to happy to explain what we are doing at Occombe.

You will probably have celebrated Guy Fawkes Night before the next edition, so please remember the animals. Progressive noise does not seem to bother them, but, sudden noises are a different matter.

• Update - September 2009

The DPHT is running a wild pony training course at our new facility at Occombe Farm, Torbay. Sessions will run daily between 9.30am to 2.30pm, Monday 6th July to Friday 10th July. The course is full, but viewing is available for free, though donations are gratefully received.

We will be working with 5 untouched yearlings brought down from the commons of Dartmoor. We have 2 well grown, strapping yearlings from Phil Coaker at Runnage Farm. Phil is renown for producing superb ponies which have been used for riding and driving. His ponies are all on the bigger size so will comfortably take a small adult when fully grown.

Justine Colton is bringing down 3 adorable, pretty fillies. Handling the ponies over the course of the week will enable us to give them the very best of starts in life. We are hoping to find experienced homes who will be able to take the ponies training further.

By the end of the week, the ponies should be leading, loading, able to groom all over, pick up feet and tie up. Prices start from £300 each

If you are interested in purchasing any of these ponies or finding out more about our training techniques please contact Dru Butterfield 01626 355314 or email dru@dpht.co.uk

You can have it all - cars for him and ponies for her!! The Devon & Cornwall branches of the Jaguar enthusiasts club are back at Archerton, near Postbridge on the afternoon of the 5^th July for cream teas, pony patting and adoring of sports cars to raise funds for the DPHT. If you would like to enjoy this afternoon of pleasure, please call Paul Cheatham 01822 880210

Judi Spiers from Radio Devon is officially launching a facility for people with disabilities to gain new life skills through interaction with carefully trained Dartmoor ponies, based at Occombe Farm, Torbay, at an Open Day for all the family, on 14 June 2009.
The Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust (DPHT) has established the “Ponies Inspiring People (PIP) project, funded primarily by the Clare Milne Trust and the Big Lottery Fund’s Awards for All, to provide an opportunity for care providers across the South West to access equine-based, interactive, life enriching, educational and inspirational programmes for children and adults with physical and/or learning disabilities.
Says Dru Butterfield, Charity Manager for DPHT: “We are so pleased that Judi has agreed to be a Patron of the Charity and to carry out the official ‘launch’ at 1pm on Sunday 14th June. She understands the urgent need to raise awareness of the problems faced by one of Devon’s most powerful symbols, the Dartmoor pony – which needs our support to survive. Most importantly, she has seen the ponies working with disabled children – and seen what a wonderful rapport they achieve, and what a motivational influence the ponies are.”
Dru continues: “By demonstrating their trainability, wonderful temperament and suitability for all the family, we are making these ponies more marketable. Ponies at Occombe are for sale and the PIP project is the perfect showcase. By handling and teaching these ponies how to behave, we give them real value and a chance to find a home. In turn, therefore, we are helping to preserve the future of the original Dartmoor.”
From 10am to 3.30pm, the Open Day will be for visitors of all ages and abilities, and especially good fun for children. There will be Pony Handling demos, free training advice, pony apple bobbing and obstacle course, plus games such as ‘pin the tail on the pony’ (not a real one!), silk painting, rosette making and a raffle.
Dominic Acland, Director of Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, which runs Occombe Farm, said: “Having this innovative project based at Occombe Farm is a great bonus for the community and adds another dimension to the whole farming and wildlife story that we are telling. The Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust is settling in really well here and we are very happy to be hosting them”.
Occombe Farm, an organic farm with a strong educational remit and a year-round events programme, offers an excellent base for the project with its readily accessible location and existing good facilities for people with disabilities. The ponies will also be part of the farm’s conservation grazing scheme, helping to maintain wildlife areas in good condition and providing another interesting learning point for school groups and the wider public.
Says Michael Brown, Chairman of the Milne Trust: “We are delighted to be involved with this wonderful project. It is yet another way in which our Trust can help people who live in the South West and have disabilities, to improve their lives.”
June Palmer, Head Teacher at Mayfield School, Torbay comments: “Mayfield School is excited to be a partner in the development of this project. Working closely with ponies will provide opportunities for our young people to develop new skills, thereby enriching their lives. The benefits of being with and caring for living creatures are well known. We look forward to seeing our pupils’ progress over the coming months.”
The whole project cannot happen without a dedicated volunteer team. The DPHT is urgently seeking volunteers of all ages and backgrounds, who feel they could comfortably work with ponies and disabled persons. Full training and equipment will be provided.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BEING INVOLVED IN THIS PROJECT IN ANY WAY, PLEASE LOOK AT THE WEBSITE: www.dpht.co.uk OR CONTACT DRU BUTTERFIELD ON 01626 355314

A team of Dartmoor ponies arrived at Occombe Farm, Paignton today to begin a two week bomb-proofing programme, specially designed for the ponies to become immune to the kinds of scares and shocks they may experience whilst living and working at the public farm where they will spend the summer.

Six ponies, selected for their quiet temperaments, have left their Dartmoor pony keepers to take part in an intensive training session at Occombe Farm.  The ponies will be socialized with Occombe’s pigs, ducks and chickens and be introduced to unfamiliar objects such as prams and umbrellas, along with noises such as loud music, squeaky bicycles and burst balloons.

Dru Butterfield, Charity Manager of the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust said “Our ponies will be trained to cope with highly pressurised situations, such as children running up to them and throwing their arms around them.  These ponies will become ambassadors for the hundreds of Dartmoor Ponies bred off the moor each year - supporting our belief in the Dartmoor Pony being a child’s perfect riding pony and best friend.”

Occombe Farm is the base for the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust to run its unique project, Ponies Inspiring People, funded by the Clare Milne Trust and Awards for All.  The project provides an opportunity for care providers across the South West to access equine-based, interactive, life enriching, educational and inspirational programmes for children and adults with physical and/or mental disabilities.  The ponies will also be part of Occombe’s conservation-grazing scheme, helping to maintain wildlife areas in good condition and providing another interesting learning point for school groups and the wider public.

The Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust is running an Open Day at Occombe Farm on Sunday 14 June, from 10am – 3.30pm.  New patron of the DPHT, Judy Spiers, will carry out the official launch at 1pm, providing a chance for the public to meet Judi and watch as she leads a pony through the obstacle course including the infamous apple bobbing!  All members of the public are invited to come along, meet the ponies and find out more about the project.

The Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust is running an Open Day at Occombe Farm, Marldon, Torbay on Sunday 14 June, from 10am – 3.30pm to lauch its new project PIP - Ponies Inspiring People. New patron of the DPHT, Judy Spiers, will carry out the official launch at 1pm, providing a chance for the public to meet Judi and watch as she leads a pony through the obstacle course including the infamous apple bobbing!  All members of the public are invited to come along, meet the ponies, activities suitable for all the family and an opportunity to find out more about the project.

April Adoption Pony Update

• Bellever Free Group Visits

• Ponies Inspiring People

17th March  -  a day to be proud of! The DPHT has been awarded 2nd prize in the Dartmoor National Park Edward Morshead Awards. For our work with young people with physical and mental disabilites and also for conservation grazing work and for contributing to the public image of Dartmoor. As you can imagine we are thrilled to be recognised for the wide range of activities we are involved in. The award is currently sitting in Dru's office, but she has promised to put it on display when the centre re-opens on 5th April.

Norfolk Wildlife Trust Chooses Dartmoor Ponies

11 March 2009

Twenty Dartmoor ponies arrived in Norfolk this week to assist with the habitat management of Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s important heaths and valley mires. The new additions increase the Trust’s Dartmoor pony herd to 63 and represent NWT’s commitment to supporting this endangered breed.

The twenty ponies arrived on Saturday from five different Dartmoor pony moorland breeders in Devon. They range in age from a year to seven years old, both males and females and will join the rest of the herd in delivering NWT’s conservation grazing programme; improving, restoring and managing fen and lowland heathland and dry acid grassland. This benefits a range of Biodiversity Action Plan species including Norfolk flapwort, silver-studded blue butterfly, stone curlew and nightjar; species that rely upon grazing to provide the best conditions to encourage and sustain populations. 

The indigenous Dartmoor pony is now officially recognised as an endangered species. The ponies were sourced from the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust (DPHT), with funds from Natural England’s Countdown 2010 and Biffaward. The main goal of the DPHT is to preserve the traditional type of single colour Dartmoor pony, known as the Dartmoor Heritage pony, the foundation stock for all Dartmoors worldwide.

Charity Manager, Dru Butterfield said: "This is a perfect partnership and we are thrilled that NWT has extended its investment in the Heritage Dartmoor. The ponies have proved they are good at their job as conservation grazers and are hardy and placid.  By choosing to buy more Heritage Dartmoors, NWT is actively supporting the breed and the way of life of Dartmoor pony keepers. The DPHT provides a single contact point, making it easier for land managers to source quality stock, along with expert support and advice"

NWT Grazing Officer Mel Slote said: “This is another great opportunity for us to protect Norfolk’s biodiversity and help secure the future of a vulnerable native pony. It is important to maintain the ponies’ wildness, because if they become too tame they can become overly-friendly to the public on our nature reserves rather than carry out important conservation grazing. If you see the ponies on any of the sites, please enjoy watching them from a distance.

One of our greatest assets is our fantastic team of volunteers. As we expand we have a growing need for additional help. The DPHT seeks volunteers to work in a new project using Dartmoor ponies to offer life enriching opportunities and development of life skills for adults and children with disabilities, at Occombe Farm, Paignton, starting April 2009. Full training and a uniform will be provided. This is a wonderful opportunity for volunteers to develop and learn new skills.

If you are interested in any of the following areas: administration, pony care and handling, supporting adults and children with disabilities to develop pony care skills, public speaking at events, organising events or running a database. We would like to talk to you.

Please write to:  Dru Butterfield, DPHT, PO Box 397, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 9AT or email dru@dpht.co.uk or phone 01626 355314

• Adoption Pony March Update

Wonderful opportunity for capable, well organised ‘people person’ who also has experience working with horses and ponies, to take on the lead role as Project Manager for a remarkable new project based at Occombe Farm, Torbay.  The project brings together a programme of activities for persons of all ages, with a range of disabilities, to benefit from interaction with a team of well trained Dartmoor Heritage ponies. 

The successful candidate will be an excellent organiser, able to work on their own initiative and cope with a variety of people – and pony – personalities!  You will recruit and manage a team of volunteer helpers and coordinate with special need schools and service providers. Work with the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust to plan and implement promotional and media relations work and interact with the Occombe project team. 

The ‘Ponies Inspiring People’ programme is run by the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust, a registered Charity created to protect the future of the traditional type of Dartmoor pony.  The project commences April 2009 and runs as an initial 8 month contract, with potential for a full time post over a 2-3 year period; depending on the success of the first phase in year one, and funding opportunities.

You do NOT need to specialise in teaching or working with those with disabilities; nor do you have to be a fully qualified ‘horsey person’ – experience, attitude, flexibility and commitment will be the most important characteristics.

The post will suit a self employed person wishing to work flexible hours, but also able to work out of normal hours on occasion.  You will need to have a real desire to make the project succeed, manage the ponies, their welfare, and have a supportive, motivating personality to encourage the participants.

This is a superb opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of disabled people and to lead the way in developing programmes that work with ponies to give the disabled a new set of skills and achievements, to help them in everyday life.

Salary £15,000 over 8 months, commencing April 2009.

To find out more, call Dru Butterfield, Charity Manager, on 01626 355314.

DO CALL – THIS IS A RARE OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN A GENUINELY FULFILLING JOB, WITH RESPONSIBILITY AND REWARD

• Pony Update February 2009

• Adoption Pony Update January 2009

39 Dartmoor Ponies have recently arrived at the RSPB Reserve in Suffolk and at the Suffolk and Norfolk Wildlife Trusts to spend the rest of their days improving the local wildlife habitats through conservation grazing. The Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust sourced all the ponies locally through Dartmoor pony keepers. Helping add value to the ponies by offering a free handling service and one point of contact to the three organisations involved in purchasing the ponies. DPHT trustee Andy Bradford delivered the ponies, and received great praise for his help and assistance when they reached  their new homes.

Dru Butterfield Charity Manager for the DPHT commented " It was quite an order to pull together, as we had to source a range of ponies to ensure a good herd dynamic. We sent mature mares and geldings and a number of yearlings capable of wintering out. This is the third time the Norfolk Wildlife Trust have returned to buy more ponies and this time they brought their friends from neigbouring organisations with them. We provide a one stop shop, including transport and training. This approach seems to be the right way of selling ponies. The consignment provided £10,500 in revenue for local keepers, making the Dartmoor pony a viable option when many other types are struggling. It must be down to their easy temperament and hardiness". 

Please contact the DPHT if you would like any advice on conservation grazing, training, transport or sourcing a suitable herd.